Aviation advisory

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, in a computer-based airspace monitoring system, airspace information from a plurality of different sources via a plurality of different communication networks, receiving, in the computer-based airspace monitoring system, a first flightpath parameter from a first aircraft at a first point in time, wherein the first flightpath parameter comprises at least one of a three-dimensional position parameter, a flight trajectory parameter, or a speed parameter, establishing, in the computer-based airspace monitoring system, a first defined airspace in a region proximate the first aircraft, processing, in the computer-based airspace monitoring system, the airspace information for the first defined airspace based on the first position parameter received from the first aircraft to define a first data set of airspace information relevant to the first aircraft, and transmitting the first dataset of airspace information from the computer-based airspace monitoring system to the first aircraft.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

None

BACKGROUND

The subject matter described herein relates to aviation communication,and more particularly systems and methods which provide aviationadvisory information to general aviation aircraft.

Civil aviation activities may be classified broadly into two categories:scheduled air transport and general aviation. Scheduled air transportcommonly refers to passenger and cargo flights which operate onregularly scheduled routes. General aviation activities refer to allother aviation activities including, but not limited to, commercialaviation and private aviation. Military aviation activities refer to theuse of aircraft and other flight vehicles for military purposes.

Scheduled air transport activities generally are managed by civilaviation authorities. In the United States, for example, scheduled airtransport is managed by the U.S. Air Traffic Control (ATC) system. Thecurrent U.S. Air Traffic Control System includes 20 Air Route TrafficControl Centers or “Centers” that are the largest ATC facilitiesinteracting directly with the aircraft. Each Center is responsible forthe safety and efficient transit of aircraft through their assignedsegment of the airspace. Controllers at the Centers communicate withindividual aircraft that are generally at high altitudes or away frommajor airports. The Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facilitieshouse controllers that are responsible for the airspace withinapproximately 40 miles of major airports. Towers are responsible forapproaches and departures of aircraft as well as taxiing at a specificairport.

By contrast, general aviation and military aircraft often operate insubstantially unregulated airspace and using airports that have noformal air traffic control. In addition, many general aviation aircraftlack radar facilities or formal collision avoidance systems.Accordingly, additional systems and methods to provide aviationadvisories to aircraft may find utility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanyingfigures.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an environment in which systemsand methods to provide aircraft advisories may be implemented, accordingto embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an aviation advisory system,according to embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a computing device which may beadapted to implement an aviation advisory system, according toembodiments.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating operations in a method implemented inan aviation advisory system, according to embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating operations in a method implemented inan aviation advisory system, according to embodiments.

SUMMARY

Described herein are an apparatus, systems, and methods for aviationadvisories. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, in acomputer-based airspace monitoring system, airspace information from aplurality of different sources via a plurality of differentcommunication networks, receiving, in the computer-based airspacemonitoring system, a first flightpath parameter from a first aircraft ata first point in time, wherein the first flightpath parameter comprisesat least one of a three-dimensional position parameter, a flighttrajectory parameter, or a speed parameter, establishing, in thecomputer-based airspace monitoring system, a first defined airspace in aregion proximate the first aircraft, processing, in the computer-basedairspace monitoring system, the airspace information for the firstdefined airspace based on the first position parameter received from thefirst aircraft to define a first data set of airspace informationrelevant to the first aircraft, and transmitting the first dataset ofairspace information from the computer-based airspace monitoring systemto the first aircraft.

In other embodiments, a computer-based airspace monitoring system,comprises a processor and a plurality of input interfaces to receiveairspace information from a plurality of different sources via aplurality of different communication networks and receive a firstflightpath parameter from a first aircraft at a first point in time,wherein the first flightpath parameter comprises at least one of athree-dimensional position parameter, a flight trajectory parameter, ora speed parameter. The system further comprises a memory modulecomprising logic instructions stored in a tangible, computer-readablememory which, when executed by the processor, configure the processor toestablish a first defined airspace in a region proximate the firstaircraft, and process the airspace information for the first definedairspace based on the first position parameter received from the firstaircraft to define a first data set of airspace information relevant tothe first aircraft. The system further comprises at least one outputinterface to transmit the first dataset of airspace information from thecomputer-based airspace monitoring system to the first aircraft.

In another embodiment a computer program product comprising logicinstructions stored on a tangible computer-readable medium which, whenexecuted by a processor, configure the processor to receive airspaceinformation from a plurality of different sources via a plurality ofdifferent communication networks, receive a first flightpath parameterfrom a first aircraft at a first point in time, wherein the firstflightpath parameter comprises at least one of a three-dimensionalposition parameter, a flight trajectory parameter, or a speed parameter,establish a first defined airspace in a region proximate the firstaircraft, process the airspace information for the first definedairspace based on the first position parameter received from the firstaircraft to define a first data set of airspace information relevant tothe first aircraft, and transmit the first dataset of airspaceinformation from the computer-based airspace monitoring system to thefirst aircraft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth toprovide a thorough understanding of various embodiments. However, itwill be understood by those skilled in the art that the variousembodiments may be practiced without the specific details. In otherinstances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and elements havenot been illustrated or described in detail so as not to obscure theparticular embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an environment 100 in whichsystems and methods to provide aircraft advisories may be implemented,according to embodiments. Referring to FIG. 1, in some embodiments anenvironment 100 comprises one or more service centers 110A, 110B, 110C,which may be referred to collectively by reference numeral 110. In someembodiments service centers 110 may be geographically dispersed suchthat each service center 110 monitors a particular airspace and may becommunicatively coupled to one another and to external informationsources by one or more communication networks such as a wirelesscommunication network 120, alone or in combination with or a wirednetworks such as a backbone data network operating over the publicswitched telephone network (PSTN) or the Internet 112. In otherembodiments, individual service centers may monitor particular types ofair traffic or be associated with a specific operation, such as militaryor civil traffic or a disaster area reconnaissance operation.

In addition, service centers 110 may be in communication with one ormore satellites 130. In some embodiments the satellites 130 may beembodied as low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites such as those within theIridium satellite constellation or the Globalstar constellation.Satellite(s) 110 orbit the earth in a known orbit and may transmit oneor more spot beams 130 onto the surface of the earth in a known patternto provide a constant communication connection to land-basedcommunication stations.

One or more aircraft 140 a, 140 b, 140 c, which may be referred tocollectively by reference numeral 140, may communicate with servicecenters 110 via communication links established with the satellites 130and in some instances with the wireless network 120. In some embodimentsaircraft 140 may be embodied as aircraft which fly under a generalaviation scheme, as opposed to scheduled air transport. In otherembodiments aircraft 140 may be embodied as military aircraft. Becausethey are not scheduled air transport, aircraft 140 may operate insubstantially unregulated airspace and may utilize visual flight rulesto manage flight operations.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an aviation advisory system,according to embodiments. Referring to FIG. 2, in some embodiments anaviation advisory system 200 comprises a service center 110, which inturn comprises at least one input interface 112, one or more servers114, one or more output interfaces 116, and processing and databasesystems 118. In some embodiments input interface(s) 112 receive airspaceinformation from a plurality of different sources. By way of example, insome embodiments input interface 112 receives flight parameters fromaircraft which utilize the aviation advisory system. The flightparameters may include information on the position (i.e., latitude,longitude, altitude), course intent, and flight plan. In addition,flight crew may transmit observations during flight, for exampleobservations about weather, turbulence conditions or the like duringflight. Flight crew may also transmit requests for information anddistress signals.

Further, input interface(s) 112 may receive airspace information fromexternal systems via servers. By way of example, in some embodimentsinput interface 112 receives airspace information from one or more RADARground-based RADAR systems, traffic and flight information may bereceived from an Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADSB)system, information from a Notice to Airman (NOTAM) System, flight plansfiled for scheduled air transport systems, and information about weatherfrom one or more weather advisory services.

Similarly, one or more output interface(s) 116 provide a communicationinterface to aircraft which utilize the system 200. The inputinterface(s) 112 and output interface(s) may provide communicationconnections via one or more communication networks. By way of example,and not limitation, interface(s) 112 may provide communicationconnections via a wireless network 120, a satellite network 130, or aground-based wired network 122.

Input interface(s) 112 are coupled to processing and database systems118 which process the information received via the input interface(s)112 to generate aircraft advisories that include information which istailored for a particular location and flight plan circumstances. Insome embodiments processing and database systems 118 may be implementedas computer-based processing units. In some embodiments processing unitsmay be connected to an data base, which may be internal to the servicecenter 110 or external.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a computing system 300 which maybe adapted to implement an aviation advisory system, according toembodiments. For example, in the embodiments depicted in FIG. 2 theprocessing units 114 may be implemented by a computing system asdepicted in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, system 300may include a computing device 308 and one or more accompanyinginput/output devices including a display 302 having a screen 304, one ormore speakers 306, a keyboard 310, one or more other I/O device(s) 312,and a mouse 314. The other I/O device(s) 312 may include a touch screen,a voice-activated input device, a track ball, and any other device thatallows the system 300 to receive input from a user.

The computing device 308 includes system hardware 320 and memory 330,which may be implemented as random access memory and/or read-onlymemory. A file store 380 may be communicatively coupled to computingdevice 308. File store 380 may be internal to computing device 308 suchas, e.g., one or more hard drives, CD-ROM drives, DVD-ROM drives, orother types of storage devices. File store 380 may also be external tocomputer 308 such as, e.g., one or more external hard drives, networkattached storage, or a separate storage network.

System hardware 320 may include one or more processors 322, at least twographics processors 324, network interfaces 326, and bus structures 328.In one embodiment, processor(s) 322 may be embodied as an Intel® Core2Duo® processor available from Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif.,USA. As used herein, the term “processor” means any type ofcomputational element, such as but not limited to, a microprocessor, amicrocontroller, a complex instruction set computing (CISC)microprocessor, a reduced instruction set (RISC) microprocessor, a verylong instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, or any other type ofprocessor or processing circuit.

Graphics processors 324 may function as adjunct processors that managegraphics and/or video operations. Graphics processors 324 may beintegrated onto the motherboard of computing system 300 or may becoupled via an expansion slot on the motherboard.

In one embodiment, network interface 326 could be a wired interface suchas an Ethernet interface (see, e.g., Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers/IEEE 802.3-2002) or a wireless interface such asan IEEE 802.11a, b or g-compliant interface (see, e.g., IEEE Standardfor IT-Telecommunications and information exchange between systemsLAN/MAN—Part II: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and PhysicalLayer (PHY) specifications Amendment 4: Further Higher Data RateExtension in the 2.4 GHz Band, 802.11G-2003). Another example of awireless interface would be a general packet radio service (GPRS)interface (see, e.g., Guidelines on GPRS Handset Requirements, GlobalSystem for Mobile Communications/GSM Association, Ver. 3.0.1, December2002).

Bus structures 328 connect various components of system hardware 128. Inone embodiment, bus structures 328 may be one or more of several typesof bus structure(s) including a memory bus, a peripheral bus or externalbus, and/or a local bus using any variety of available bus architecturesincluding, but not limited to, 11-bit bus, Industrial StandardArchitecture (ISA), Micro-Channel Architecture (MSA), Extended ISA(EISA), Intelligent Drive Electronics (IDE), VESA Local Bus (VLB),Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), Universal Serial Bus (USB),Advanced Graphics Port (AGP), Personal Computer Memory CardInternational Association bus (PCMCIA), and Small Computer SystemsInterface (SCSI).

Memory 330 may include an operating system 340 for managing operationsof computing device 308. In one embodiment, operating system 340includes a hardware interface module 354 that provides an interface tosystem hardware 320. In addition, operating system 340 may include afile system 350 that manages files used in the operation of computingdevice 308 and a process control subsystem 352 that manages processesexecuting on computing device 308.

Operating system 340 may include (or manage) one or more communicationinterfaces that may operate in conjunction with system hardware 120 totransceive data packets and/or data streams from a remote source.Operating system 340 may further include a system call interface module342 that provides an interface between the operating system 340 and oneor more application modules resident in memory 330. Operating system 340may be embodied as a UNIX operating system or any derivative thereof(e.g., Linux, Solaris, etc.) or as a Windows® brand operating system, orother operating systems.

In various embodiments, the computing device 308 may be embodied as apersonal computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant, amobile telephone, an entertainment device, or another computing device.In other embodiments, the computing device may consist of a collectionof processing units, such as a computer cluster or distributed embeddedprocessors.

In one embodiment, memory 330 includes one or more logic modulesembodied as logic instructions encoded on a tangible, non transitorymemory to impart functionality to the servers 114. The embodimentdepicted in FIG. 3 comprises an intialization module 362, a datacollection module 364, and an advisory module 366. Additional detailsabout the process and operations implemented by these modules aredescribed with reference to FIGS. 4-5, below.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating operations in a method implemented inan aviation advisory system, according to embodiments. Moreparticularly, the operations depicted in FIG. 4 may be executed by theinitialization module 362 in order to initialize a connection betweenaviation advisory system 200 and an aircraft. Referring to FIG. 4, atoperation 410 a client device generates and transmits an initializationrequest to the advisory system 200. By way of example and notlimitation, client device 120 may include a dedicated device which maybe integrated into an aircraft or may be embodied as a general purposecomputing device, e.g., a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a mobiletelephone or the like. Client device may be communicatively coupled to asatellite navigation system such as, for example, a global positioningsystem (GPS) module to determine a location based on signals from theglobal positioning system. Alternatively, or in addition, client device120 may include logic to determine a location based on signals from oneor more LEO or MEO satellites 110 as described in one or more of U.S.Pat. Nos. 7,489,926, 7,372,400, 7,579,987, and 7,468,696, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirrespective entireties. In some embodiments the location of the clientdevice 120 may be expressed in latitude/longitude coordinates or anotherearth-based coordinate system and/or altitude above sea level.

At operation 415 the advisory system 200 receives the initializationrequest from the client device. In some embodiments the advisory system200 may be available on a subscription basis, such that the clientdevice may be a subscriber to the advisory system 200. In suchembodiments, the initialization request may comprise informationidentifying the client device and/or a user of the client device. Atoperation 420 the advisory system 200 implements an authenticationprocess to authenticate the client device and/or user of the clientdevice. By way of example, the authentication process may require a userto enter a UserID, alone or in combination with a password, and mayrequire one or more additional authentication steps, e.g. a CAPTCHAtest, a geolocation test, or the like.

If, at operation 425 the client device is not authenticated, theadvisory system 200 transmits an error message to the client device,which in turn may initiate another initialization request. By contrast,if at operation 425 the client device is authenticated then controlpasses to operation 430 and the advisory system 200 establishesconnection parameters for communication between the advisory system 200and the client device. By way of example, the advisory system 200 mayassign a specific port and a communication protocol to for acommunication session with the client device. The connection parametersmay be transmitted from advisory system 200 to the client device, whichreceives the connection parameters (operation 435).

At operations 440 and 445 the client device and the advisory system 200implement operations to establish a communication connection. By way ofexample, client device and advisory system 200 may implement a handshakeprocedure to negotiate communication session protocols between theclient device and the advisory system 200.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating operations in a method implemented inan aviation advisory system, according to embodiments. Referring to FIG.5, at operation 510 the advisory system receives information from one ormore external sources, as described above with reference to FIG. 2. Atoperation 515 the information is stored in a memory module coupled tothe advisory system 200. By way of example, in some embodimentsinformation may be stored in a database or other structured memorydevice in a file store 380 coupled to advisory system 200.

In some embodiments operations 510-515 may be implemented continuouslyby data collection module 364. The data collection module 364 mayoperate substantially continuously and independently to collect datafrom external sources and flight parameters from aircraft who subscribeto the aviation system 200.

At operation 520 a client device aboard an aircraft may transmit one ormore flight parameters to the advisory system 200, as described abovewith reference to FIG. 2. At operation 525 the advisory system 200receives the flight parameters from the aircraft, and at operation 530the advisory system 200 establishes a defined airspace region proximatethe aircraft. In some embodiments the defined airspace region maycorrespond to a region of airspace which may be reached by the aircraftwithin a specified time limit, as disclosed is commonly assigned U.S.Pat. No. 7,212,917 to Wilson, et al., entitled Tracking, Relay, andControl Information Flow Analysis Process for Information-Based Systems,the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

At operation 535 the advisory system 200 evaluates the flight parametersreceived from the aircraft against the airspace information received forthe airspace region defined in operation 530. In some embodiments theadvisory system 200 evaluates the airspace information received in theadvisory system 200 for the defined airspace against the flighttrajectory for the aircraft, and at operation 540 the advisory system200 generates a customized data set of airspace information relevant tothe first aircraft. By way of example, the data set may compriselocation and trajectory information for other aircraft in the definedairspace region, general air traffic information, information aboutweather hazards in the defined airspace region, suggestions forrerouting a course through the defined airspace region, or otherinformation relevant to safely charting a course through the definedairspace region. The data set is transmitted to the aircraft atoperation 545.

At operation 550 the client device on the aircraft receives the dataset, and at operation 555 information extracted from the data set may bepresented on a user interface. By way of example, in some embodimentsinformation from the data set may be presented on a graphical userinterface associated with a map of the defined airspace, such thatflight crew of the aircraft are presented with a graphic depiction ofrelevant information in the defined airspace.

At operation 560 the client device determines whether the airspaceinformation for the defined airspace presents a threat or hazard to theaircraft. By way of example, if at operation 560 the current course ofthe aircraft presents a risk of collision with another aircraft orobstacle in the airspace or puts the aircraft on course to encountersevere weather, then a hazard warning may be generated and presented onthe user interface (operation 565). In addition, evasive measures may beimplemented, e.g., by providing a revised flight trajectory for theaircraft.

Operations 520-565 may define a loop which executes on a periodic basissuch that the client device associated with an aircraft updates theadvisory system 200 periodically with position information, and inresponse the advisory system 200 periodically establishes a new definedairspace relative to the position of the aircraft, and evaluates thereceived flight parameters against threats in the defined airspace.

Thus, the system architecture depicted in FIGS. 1-3 and the methoddepicted in FIGS. 4-5 enable advisory system 200 to monitor airspace andto generate and provide a timely, customized packet of airspace data toa client device on a periodic basis, thereby providing flight crew withimproved situational awareness of the airspace in which their aircraftis operating at any point in time. One skilled in the art will recognizethat the advisory system may be used in conjunction with hundreds, oreven thousands, of aircraft, such that a defined airspace region isassociated with and defined by the particular flight characteristics ofeach aircraft.

The terms “logic instructions” as referred to herein relates toexpressions which may be understood by one or more machines forperforming one or more logical operations. For example, logicinstructions may comprise instructions which are interpretable by aprocessor compiler for executing one or more operations on one or moredata objects. However, this is merely an example of machine-readableinstructions and embodiments are not limited in this respect.

The terms “computer readable medium” as referred to herein relates tomedia capable of maintaining expressions which are perceivable by one ormore machines. For example, a computer readable medium may comprise oneor more storage devices for storing computer readable instructions ordata. Such storage devices may comprise storage media such as, forexample, optical, magnetic or semiconductor storage media. However, thisis merely an example of a computer readable medium and embodiments arenot limited in this respect.

The term “logic” as referred to herein relates to structure forperforming one or more logical operations. For example, logic maycomprise circuitry which provides one or more output signals based uponone or more input signals. Such circuitry may comprise a finite statemachine which receives a digital input and provides a digital output, orcircuitry which provides one or more analog output signals in responseto one or more analog input signals. Such circuitry may be provided inan application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or field programmablegate array (FPGA). Also, logic may comprise machine-readableinstructions stored in a memory in combination with processing circuitryto execute such machine-readable instructions. However, these are merelyexamples of structures which may provide logic and embodiments are notlimited in this respect.

Various functional components of the system 200 may be implemented aslogic instructions which may be executed on a general purpose processoror on a configurable controller. By way of example, in some embodimentsinitialization module 362, the data collection module 364, and theadvisory module 366 may be implemented either as logic or as logicinstructions. When executed on a processor, the logic instructions causea processor to be programmed as a special-purpose machine thatimplements the described methods. The processor, when configured by thelogic instructions to execute the methods described herein, constitutesstructure for performing the described methods. Alternatively, themethods described herein may be reduced to logic on, e.g., a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC) or the like.

For example, in some embodiments a computer program product may compriselogic instructions stored on a computer-readable medium which, whenexecuted, configure a flight control electronics to detect whether asystem management memory module is in a visible state, in response to adetermination that system management memory is in a visible state,direct one or more system management memory input/output operations to asystem management memory module, and in response to a determination thatsystem management memory is in an invisible state, direct systemmanagement memory cache write back operations to the system managementmemory module and direct other system management memory input/outputoperations to another location in a system memory.

In the description and claims, the terms coupled and connected, alongwith their derivatives, may be used. In particular embodiments,connected may be used to indicate that two or more elements are indirect physical or electrical contact with each other. Coupled may meanthat two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact.However, coupled may also mean that two or more elements may not be indirect contact with each other, but yet may still cooperate or interactwith each other.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “some embodiments”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiment is included in at least animplementation. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” invarious places in the specification may or may not be all referring tothe same embodiment. In the foregoing discussion, specificimplementations of exemplary processes have been described, however, itshould be understood that in alternate implementations, certain actsneed not be performed in the order described above. In alternateembodiments, some acts may be modified, performed in a different order,or may be omitted entirely, depending on the circumstances. Moreover, invarious alternate implementations, the acts described may be implementedby a computer, flight control electronics, processor, programmabledevice, firmware, or any other suitable device, and may be based oninstructions stored on one or more computer-readable media or otherwisestored or programmed into such devices (e.g. including transmittingcomputer-readable instructions in real time to such devices). In thecontext of software, the acts described above may represent computerinstructions that, when executed by one or more processors, perform therecited operations. In the event that computer-readable media are used,the computer-readable media can be any available media that can beaccessed by a device to implement the instructions stored thereon.

While various embodiments have been described, those skilled in the artwill recognize modifications or variations which might be made withoutdeparting from the present disclosure. The examples illustrate thevarious embodiments and are not intended to limit the presentdisclosure. Therefore, the description and claims should be interpretedliberally with only such limitation as is necessary in view of thepertinent prior art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving, in acomputer-based airspace monitoring service center system, airspaceinformation from a plurality of different sources via a plurality ofdifferent communication networks; receiving, in the computer-basedairspace monitoring service center system, a transmission from a firstaircraft, wherein the transmission includes data defining at least onefirst flightpath parameter from the first aircraft, wherein the at leastone first flightpath parameter comprises at least one of a threedimensional position parameter, a flight trajectory parameter, or aspeed parameter; establishing, in the computer-based airspace monitoringservice center system, a first defined airspace in a region proximatethe first aircraft; processing, in the computer-based airspacemonitoring service center system, the airspace information for the firstdefined airspace based on the at least one first flightpath parameterreceived from the first aircraft to define a first data set of airspaceinformation relevant to the first aircraft, wherein the first data setof airspace information includes a location of a second aircraft; andtransmitting the first data set of airspace information from thecomputer-based airspace monitoring service center system to the firstaircraft, wherein the computer-based airspace monitoring service centersystem is remote from the first aircraft.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the airspace information includes at least one of weatherinformation, flight tracking information, surface map information,proximity information, radar information, NOTAM alert information, orflight plan information.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein establishingthe first defined airspace in the region proximate the first aircraftcomprises defining an airspace which will be reached by the firstaircraft within a predetermined time period based on the at least onefirst flight path parameter.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereinprocessing the airspace information for the first defined airspace basedon the at least one first flightpath parameter received from the firstaircraft to define the first data set of airspace information relevantto the first aircraft comprises: evaluating the at least one firstflightpath parameter for the first aircraft against the airspaceinformation for the first defined airspace; and including in the firstdata set of airspace information relevant to the first aircraft a subsetof airspace information that is relevant to the at least one firstflightpath parameter.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:performing an authentication process based on user information receivedfrom the first aircraft; transmitting an error message in response tothe user information failing the authentication process; andestablishing a communication connection with the first aircraft inresponse to the user information passing the authentication process,wherein the at least one first flightpath parameter is received via thecommunication connection.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstaircraft includes an alert module, wherein the alert module isconfigured to: generate a warning in response to information in thefirst data set of airspace information that indicates a potentiallydangerous situation; and present the warning on a user interface.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the computer-based airspace monitoringservice center system is a computer system service center that monitorsa defined airspace.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first aircraftis a subscriber to the computer-based airspace monitoring service centersystem.
 9. An airspace monitoring service center computer system,comprising: a processor; at least one input interface to: receiveairspace information from a plurality of different sources via aplurality of different communication networks; receive at least onefirst flightpath parameter from a first aircraft, wherein the at leastone first flightpath parameter comprises at least one of-a threedimensional position parameter, a flight trajectory parameter, or aspeed parameter; a memory module comprising instructions stored in atangible, computer-readable memory which, when executed by theprocessor, cause the processor to: establish a first defined airspace ina region proximate the first aircraft; process the airspace informationfor the first defined airspace based on the at least one firstflightpath parameter received from the first aircraft to define a firstdata set of airspace information relevant to the first aircraft, whereinthe first data set of airspace information includes a location of asecond aircraft; and at least one wireless communication interface towirelessly transmit the first data set of airspace information from theairspace monitoring service center computer system to the firstaircraft, wherein the at least one wireless communication interface isremote from the first aircraft.
 10. The airspace monitoring servicecenter computer system of claim 9, wherein the airspace informationincludes at least one of weather information, flight trackinginformation, surface map information, proximity information, radarinformation, NOTAM alert information, or flight plan information. 11.The airspace monitoring service center computer system of claim 9,wherein the instructions further cause the processor to define anairspace which may be reached by the first aircraft within apredetermined time period.
 12. The airspace monitoring service centercomputer system of claim 9, wherein the instructions further cause theprocessor to: evaluate the at least one first flightpath parameter forthe first aircraft against the airspace information for the firstdefined airspace; and include in the first data set of airspaceinformation relevant to the first aircraft a subset of airspaceinformation that is relevant to the at least one first flightpathparameter.
 13. The airspace monitoring service center computer system ofclaim 9, wherein the first aircraft includes an alert module, whereinthe alert module is configured to: generate a warning in response toinformation in the first data set of airspace information that indicatesa potentially dangerous situation; and present the warning on a userinterface.
 14. The airspace monitoring service center computer system ofclaim 9, wherein the plurality of different communication networksincludes a backbone data network over a public switched telephonenetwork.
 15. The airspace monitoring service center computer system ofclaim 9, wherein: the at least one input interface is configured toreceive from the first aircraft at least one second position parameter,wherein the at least one second position parameter comprises at leastone of a second three-dimensional position parameter, a second flighttrajectory parameter, or a second speed parameter; the instructionsfurther cause the processor to: establish a second defined airspace in asecond region proximate the first aircraft; process the airspaceinformation for the second defined airspace based on the at least onesecond position parameter received from the first aircraft to define asecond data set of airspace information relevant to the first aircraft;and the at least one wireless communication interface is configured totransmit the second data set of airspace information to the firstaircraft.
 16. The airspace monitoring service center computer system ofclaim 9, wherein: the at least one input interface is configured toreceive at least one second flightpath parameter from the secondaircraft, wherein the second flightpath parameter comprises at least oneof a second three-dimensional position parameter, a second flighttrajectory parameter, or a second speed parameter; the instructionsfurther cause the processor to: establish, in the airspace monitoringservice center computer system, the first defined airspace in a secondregion proximate the second aircraft; process, in the airspacemonitoring service center computer system, the airspace information forthe first defined airspace based on the at least one second flightpathparameter received from the second aircraft to define a second data setof airspace information relevant to the second aircraft; and the atleast one wireless communication interface is configured to transmit thesecond data set of airspace information to the second aircraft.
 17. Acomputer program product comprising instructions stored on a tangiblecomputer-readable medium which, when executed by a processor, cause theprocessor to: receive airspace information from a plurality of differentsources via a plurality of different communication networks; receive atleast one first flightpath parameter via a transmission from a firstaircraft, wherein the at least one first flightpath parameter comprisesat least one of a three dimensional position parameter, a flighttrajectory parameter, or a speed parameter; establish a first definedairspace in a region proximate the first aircraft; process the airspaceinformation for the first defined airspace based on the at least oneflightpath parameter received from the first aircraft to define a firstdata set of airspace information relevant to the first aircraft, whereinthe first data set of airspace information includes a location of asecond aircraft; and transmit the first data set of airspace informationfrom a computer-based airspace monitoring service center system to thefirst aircraft, wherein the computer-based airspace monitoring servicecenter system is remote from the first aircraft.
 18. The computerprogram product of claim 17, wherein the instructions further cause theprocessor to define an airspace which may be reached by the firstaircraft within a predetermined time period.
 19. The computer programproduct of claim 17, wherein the instructions further cause theprocessor to: evaluate the at least one first flightpath parameter forthe first aircraft against the airspace information for the firstdefined airspace; and include in the first data set of airspaceinformation relevant to the first aircraft a subset of airspaceinformation that is relevant to the at least one first flightpathparameter.
 20. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein theinstructions further cause the processor to: receive from the firstaircraft at least one second position parameter from the first aircraft,wherein the at least one second position parameter comprises at leastone of a second three-dimensional position parameter, a second flighttrajectory parameter, or a second speed parameter; establish a seconddefined airspace in a second region proximate the first aircraft;process the airspace information for the second defined airspace basedon the at least one second position parameter received from the firstaircraft to define a second data set of airspace information relevant tothe first aircraft; and transmit the second data set of airspaceinformation from the computer-based airspace monitoring service centersystem to the first aircraft.
 21. The computer program product of claim17, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to: receive atleast one second flightpath parameter from the second aircraft, whereinthe at least one second flightpath parameter comprises at least one of asecond three-dimensional position parameter, a second flight trajectoryparameter, or a second speed parameter; establish a second definedairspace in a second region proximate the second aircraft; process theairspace information for the second defined airspace based on the atleast one second flightpath parameter received from the second aircraftto define a second data set of airspace information relevant to thesecond aircraft; and transmit the second data set of airspaceinformation from the computer-based airspace monitoring service centersystem to the second aircraft.